Vehicle camera housing, vehicle camera, and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing (16) of a vehicle camera (14), the vehicle camera (14), and a vehicle. The housing (16) includes at least one main housing part (18) having at least one receiving opening, and at least one objective lens module housing part (22) having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system, the objective lens module housing part (22) being arranged in at least one of the at least one receiving openings of the at least one main housing part (18). The at least one main housing part (18) has at least one main contact part (48). The at least one objective lens module housing part (22) has at least one module contact part (90) that at least partially contacts the at least one main contact part (48). At least one of the main contact parts (48) has at least one main contact surface (60) that curves at least in part (62). At least one of the module contact parts (90) is at least one module contact surface (96) that curves at least in part (102), and the at least one module contact surface (96) at least partially contacts at least one of the at least one curved parts (62) of at least one main contact surface (60) of the at least one main contact part (48). The curvature of at least one of the at least one curved parts (62) of at least one main contact surface (60) and the curvature of at least one of the at least one contacting curved parts (102) of at least one module contact surface (96) are the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for a vehicle camera, comprising: at least one main housing portion having at least one receiving opening; and at least one objective lens module housing portion having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system, wherein the objective lens module housing portion is disposed in at least one of the receiving openings of the at least one main housing portion, the at least one main housing portion having at least one main contact portion; and the at least one objective lens module housing portion having at least one module contact portion that at least partially contacts the at least one main contact portion.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle camera having at least one housing on which at least one image sensor is disposed and at least one optical system aligned with at least one image sensor is disposed, wherein the at least one housing comprises at least one main housing portion having at least one receiving aperture and at least one objective lens module housing portion having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system, the objective lens module housing portion being disposed in at least one of the receiving apertures of the at least one main housing portion, the at least one main housing portion having at least one main contact portion, and the at least one objective lens module housing portion having at least one module contact portion that at least partially contacts the at least one main contact portion.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle having at least one vehicle camera, the vehicle camera having at least one housing on which at least one image sensor is disposed and at least one optical system aligned with at least one image sensor is disposed, the at least one housing having at least one main housing portion having at least one receiving aperture, and at least one objective lens module housing portion having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system, the objective lens module housing portion being disposed in at least one of the receiving apertures of the at least one main housing portion, the at least one main housing portion having at least one main contact portion, and the at least one objective lens module housing portion having at least one module contact portion that at least partially contacts the at least one main contact portion. [Background technology]

[0004] DE 10 2019 113 081 A1 discloses a vehicle camera comprising a main housing and at least one objective lens module mounted on a receptacle of the main housing. The objective lens module comprises a module housing. The main housing has a housing step in its rear region. An opening forming a receptacle extends from the upper surface of the housing step through the front of the housing step facing the opposite rear side into a cover located below the main housing. A rim surrounding the receptacle in the upper and front regions of the housing step forms a step in the contour and a support portion of the module housing. The module housing has a support rim. The support rim extends as a step corresponding to the rim of the receptacle on the upper and front surfaces of the housing step and cover. The side and rear portions of the support rim form a step in the contour corresponding to the side and support portions on the upper surface of the housing step of the main housing.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a housing, vehicle camera, and vehicle of the type described at the beginning, wherein the vehicle camera can be assembled more effectively, specifically, in a simpler and / or more reliable manner. In particular, the aim is to achieve the protection class required for the operation of the vehicle camera in a more reliable and simple manner. [Overview of the project]

[0006] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved in the case of a housing, provided that at least one of the main contact portions has at least one main contact surface that is curved in at least a part thereof, and at least one of the module contact portions has at least one module contact surface that is curved in at least a part thereof, and that the module contact surface is at least partially in contact with at least one curved portion of the at least one main contact surface of the at least one main contact portion, and the curvature of the at least one curved portion of the at least one module contact surface that is in contact with the at least one curved portion is the same.

[0007] According to the present invention, at least one curved portion of the main contact surface contacts at least one curved portion of the module contact surface. The curved portion allows the main contact surface to be more flexibly aligned with the module contact surface to be contacted. In this way, tolerances between parts can be better compensated. Therefore, the main contact surface can be in close contact with the module contact surface. Thus, leak prevention of the joint can be achieved in a simpler manner overall. Overall, the curved contact surface allows the required protection class, particularly with respect to the ingress of foreign matter and / or water, to be achieved in a simpler manner. In particular, the present invention makes it possible to achieve international protection classes, specifically IPx2 or IP52 (International Protection x2 or 52), in a simpler and more reliable manner.

[0008] The curved portions of at least one main contact surface and at least one module contact surface that come into contact with each other have the same curvature. Therefore, the curved portions of at least one main contact surface and at least one module contact surface are complementary to each other. This can result in a leak-free joint.

[0009] The housing has at least one main housing section. Components of the vehicle camera, particularly at least one circuit board, electrical / electronic components, mechanical and / or optical components, etc., may be arranged in the main housing section. Furthermore, at least one main housing section may have corresponding sections for receiving connectors, particularly connectors for electrical terminals, specifically plugs, etc.

[0010] Furthermore, the housing has at least one objective lens module housing section. The at least one objective lens module housing section has at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system. Thus, the optical system can be held in the objective lens receptacle. The at least one optical system may have, or consist of, at least one lens, at least one objective lens, etc. The optical system can reproduce an image of an object within the field of view of the vehicle camera on at least one image sensor.

[0011] Furthermore, at least one objective lens module housing may have at least one receiving means, in particular at least one retaining means for a circuit board or the like. The receiving means may be used to support at least one image sensor, in particular an image sensor chip. Also, at least one retaining means may be directly configured as a receptacle for at least one image sensor. This eliminates the need for additional components, particularly circuit boards.

[0012] The objective lens module may be advantageously implemented comprising at least one objective lens module housing, at least one image sensor, and at least one optical system. This allows the objective lens module to be pre-assembled separately from the main housing. In the process of pre-assembling the objective lens module, at least one optical system can be aligned with at least one image sensor. The pre-assembled objective lens module can then be connected to at least one main housing and the corresponding components housed therein.

[0013] At least one main housing portion may have at least one installation opening. A corresponding component, particularly at least one circuit board, can be introduced into the housing through this installation opening. Furthermore, the housing may have at least one housing closure portion. This housing closure portion can close at least one installation opening.

[0014] Vehicle cameras can be advantageously configured to acquire images, shapes, motion, distance, orientation, and / or velocity of objects. This allows vehicle cameras to be used to acquire information from the monitoring area targeted by the vehicle camera.

[0015] Vehicle cameras can, advantageously, be imaging cameras. This type of vehicle camera can be used to monitor the area inside and / or around the vehicle.

[0016] Vehicle cameras can, advantageously, be "front cameras." Front cameras can be used to monitor the area in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel.

[0017] Vehicle cameras can, advantageously, be configured to be mounted on the windows of the vehicle, particularly the windshield. This allows the vehicle camera to be positioned in a protected manner within the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle camera can be directed towards the interior and / or surroundings of the vehicle.

[0018] Vehicle cameras can be advantageously used in automobiles. Advantageously, vehicle cameras can be used in land vehicles, particularly passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, construction or transport machinery such as cranes and excavators, aircraft, particularly drones, and / or ships. Vehicle cameras can also be used in autonomous or at least semi-autonomously operated vehicles. Vehicle cameras can also be used in robots and / or machines.

[0019] The vehicle camera can, advantageously, be connected to or be part of at least one electronic control unit of the vehicle, particularly a driver assistance system. In this way, at least some of the vehicle's functions, particularly driving functions, can be performed autonomously or semi-autonomously. In this case, information obtained from the vehicle camera can be transmitted to at least one control unit of the vehicle and used to control the vehicle's functions.

[0020] Vehicle cameras can be used to detect stationary or moving objects, especially vehicles, people, gestures, movements, animals, plants, obstacles, road irregularities, especially potholes and rocks, road boundaries, traffic signs, empty spaces, especially parking spaces, precipitation, and the like.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the curved portion may extend in an arc toward the front and / or bottom of the housing, away from the rear inner main contact portion, particularly directly or indirectly. The rear inner main contact portion may be located on the side of the receiving opening facing the rear of the housing. The rear inner main contact portion may further be located on the side of the receiving opening opposite the front inner main contact portion. The front inner main contact portion and the rear inner main contact portion may extend substantially parallel to a virtual axis in particular. The receiving opening may be enclosed by an inner main contact frame that may enclose, in particular, two side inner main contact portions, the front inner main contact portion, and the rear inner main contact portion. The front inner main contact portion may be located on the side of a stepped region facing the front. The stepped region may extend on the rear of the housing. The front may be the side facing the optical system.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portion may extend over an angle of about 90°, particularly over an angle of 90°. In particular, the angle of about 90° may be in the range of 80 to 100°, particularly 85 to 95°.

[0023] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portion may particularly occupy most of the side main contact portion. In particular, the curved portion may occupy about half of the main contact portion, particularly more than half of the main contact portion.

[0024] In another advantageous embodiment, the curvature of at least one of the curved portions of at least one of the main contact surfaces is constant in at least one plane, and / or the curvature of at least one of the curved portions of at least one of the module contact surfaces is constant in at least one plane, and / or at least one of the main contact surfaces may extend at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, particularly along a virtual cylinder surface, and / or at least one of the module contact surfaces may extend at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, particularly along a virtual cylinder surface. Due to the constant curvature in at least one plane, at least one main contact surface and at least one module contact surface can move relative to each other without losing their contact.

[0025] The curvature in at least one plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the virtual cylinder may advantageously be constant. The corresponding at least one curved portion may extend along the virtual cylindrical surface. In this way, the curvature can be realized in a simple manner.

[0026] At least one of the curved portions of at least one of the main contact surfaces may advantageously extend along a circle of curvature. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the curved portions of at least one of the module contact surfaces may extend along a circle of curvature. In this way, a constant curvature can be realized in any case.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the main contact surfaces may advantageously extend along a virtual cylindrical surface, particularly along a virtual cylindrical face. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the module contact surfaces may at least partially extend along a virtual cylindrical surface, particularly along a virtual cylindrical face. In this way, the corresponding contact surfaces have no curvature when viewed in the axial direction. Thus, the main contact surface and at least one module contact surface can be realized with a larger assembly tolerance in the axial direction.

[0028] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one of the main housing parts may have at least two main contact parts each having at least one main contact surface, and / or at least one objective lens module housing part may have at least two module contact parts each having at least one main contact surface. Thereby, the range of each contact surface can be enlarged. In this way, the leak prevention property and / or mechanical stability of the joint between at least one objective lens module housing part and at least one main housing part can be improved and / or realized in a simpler manner.

[0029] In another advantageous embodiment, at least two of the main contact parts may be arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings, and / or at least two of the module contact parts may be arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings. Thereby, at least one objective lens module housing part can be supported on both sides of at least one receiving opening on at least one main housing part.

[0030] In this way, it becomes further possible to seal at least one receiving opening on both sides by the mutually contacting contact parts.

[0031] In another advantageous embodiment, at least two of the main contact portions may be located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings, and / or at least two of the module contact portions may be located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings. This allows for improved and / or implementation of mechanical stability and / or leak prevention on the side of the receiving opening in a simpler manner.

[0032] At least two main contact portions located on the same side of at least one receiving opening may, advantageously, have different dimensions and / or shapes. Alternatively or additionally, at least two module contact portions located on the same side of at least one receiving opening may, advantageously, have different dimensions and / or shapes. This may enable a kind of labyrinth seal between the main contact portions and the respective module contact portions. In this way, the leak prevention of the joint between the main contact portions and the corresponding module contact portions can be improved and / or achieved in a simpler manner.

[0033] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portions of at least two of the main contact surfaces of the main contact portion may have the same curvature in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portions of at least two of the module contact surfaces of the module contact portion may have the same curvature in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis. This allows at least one objective lens module housing portion to be rotated relative to at least one main housing portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis, where the contacting curved portions of the main contact surface and the module contact surface are slidable along each other while maintaining contact. In this way, tolerances in the assembly between the objective lens module housing portion and the main housing portion can be better compensated. Furthermore, in this way, the alignment of at least one objective lens receptacle relative to at least one main housing portion can be set in a better and / or simpler manner.

[0034] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portion of each of at least two of the main contact surfaces of the main contact portion may have different radii of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portion of each of at least two of the main contact surfaces of the main contact portion may have the same radius of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portion of each of at least two of the module contact surfaces of the module contact portion may have different radii of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portion of each of at least two of the module contact surfaces of the module contact portion may have the same radius of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis. This allows for more flexible configuration of the dimensions of the objective lens module housing portion and the main housing portion.

[0035] At least two primary contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one receiving opening may, advantageously, have different radii of curvature. In a corresponding embodiment, alternatively or additionally, at least two modular contact surfaces located on the same side of the receiving opening may have different radii of curvature. This may enable the realization of a labyrinth-type sealing region between each contact surface. In this way, the sealing effect can be further improved and / or realized in a simpler and more reliable manner.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, at least two main contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one receiving aperture may, advantageously, have the same radius of curvature. In a corresponding embodiment, alternatively or additionally, at least two module contact surfaces located on the same side of the receiving aperture may have the same radius of curvature. This allows at least one objective lens module housing to be supported on both sides of at least one main housing in a more uniform manner.

[0037] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one common sector may extend over an angle of 30° to 90°. This allows for a good ratio between sealing effect and mechanical support on the one hand, and between sealing effect and tolerance compensation on the other hand.

[0038] In another advantageous embodiment, at least two main contact portions having corresponding main contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings may be arranged in series when viewed from the receiving opening, and the curved portion of the main contact surface of at least one main contact portion further from the receiving opening may have a smaller radius of curvature than the curved portion of the main contact surface of the main contact portion located closer to the receiving opening, and / or at least two module contact portions having corresponding module contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings may be arranged in series when viewed from the receiving opening, and the curved portion of the module contact surface of the module contact portion further from the receiving opening may have a smaller radius of curvature than the curved portion of the module contact surface of the module contact portion located closer to the receiving opening. This allows the module contact portion further from the receiving opening to shield the module contact surface and the main contact surface of the contact portion located closer to the periphery. In this way, the main contact surface and the module contact surface located further away can be protected from the periphery.

[0039] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one curved portion of at least one main contact surface may be at least partially convex when viewed in the direction of the corresponding main contact surface, and / or at least one curved portion of at least one module contact surface may be at least partially concave when viewed in the direction of the corresponding module contact surface. This allows the corresponding module contacts to be configured in a space-saving manner. In this way, it is possible to obtain the possibility of better access to the space between module contacts, particularly for arranging image sensors, image sensor circuits, etc.

[0040] According to the present invention, the objective is further achieved in the case of a vehicle camera, by the fact that it has a vehicle camera having at least one housing according to the present invention.

[0041] According to the present invention, at least one of the main contact portions has at least one main contact surface that is curved in at least a part thereof. At least one of the module contact portions has at least one module contact surface that is curved in at least a part thereof and has a module contact surface that at least partially contacts the curved portion of at least one of the main contact surfaces of at least one of the main contact portions. The curvature of the curved portion of at least one of the main contact surfaces and the curvature of the curved portion that contacts at least one of the module contact surfaces are the same.

[0042] In the case of the housing according to the present invention, leakage prevention between at least one objective lens module housing and at least one main housing can be achieved in a simpler and more reliable manner.

[0043] Furthermore, this objective is achieved in the case of a vehicle according to the present invention. The vehicle has at least one vehicle camera having at least one housing according to the present invention.

[0044] The present invention provides at least one housing that enables leak prevention of at least one vehicle camera in a simpler and more reliable manner. In this way, a vehicle camera that meets the essential requirements of international protection classes, particularly IPx2 or IP52, can be obtained.

[0045] Vehicle cameras make it possible to monitor objects in at least one monitoring area around and / or inside the vehicle.

[0046] The vehicle may, advantageously, be equipped with at least one driver assistance system. The driver assistance system may enable the vehicle to be operated autonomously or at least semi-autonomously.

[0047] Advantageously, at least one vehicle camera can be functionally connected to at least one driver assistance system in the vehicle. In this way, information regarding at least one monitoring area, in particular information regarding objects that can be identified by at least one vehicle camera, can be transmitted to at least one driver assistance system. Taking into account the information regarding at least one monitoring area, the vehicle can be operated autonomously or at least semi-autonomously using at least one driver assistance system.

[0048] Furthermore, the features and advantages shown with respect to the housing, the vehicle camera, and the vehicle according to the present invention, as well as their respective advantageous configurations, are applicable in corresponding ways to each other, and vice versa. Individual features and advantages can, of course, be combined with each other. In this case, other advantageous effects exceeding the combined effect of the individual features and advantages may result.

[0049] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which provides a more detailed explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will be able to appropriately consider the features disclosed in combination in the drawings, specification, and claims individually and combine them to make even more meaningful combinations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a front view of a passenger car equipped with a vehicle camera and a driver assistance system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 1, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2, viewed through the lateral inner contact portion of the main housing and the objective lens module housing. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the main housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the main housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a front view of the main housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the main housing portion of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2, viewed through the lateral outer contact portion. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the objective lens module housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2, viewed from the front at an oblique angle. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the objective lens module housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2, viewed from the rear at an oblique angle. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a front view of the objective lens module housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a bottom view of the objective lens module housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the objective lens module housing of the vehicle camera shown in Figure 2, viewed through two cross-sectional planes, one of which shows the cross-sectional plane passing through the lateral inner contact portion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0051] In drawings, identical components are denoted by the same reference numeral.

[0052] Figure 1 shows a front view of vehicle 10 in the form of a passenger car. Vehicle 10 is equipped with a driver assistance system 12 and a vehicle camera 14. Figures 2 to 12 show the vehicle camera 14 and its components from various viewpoints, cross-sections, and detailed views.

[0053] The vehicle camera 14 is functionally connected to the driver assistance system 12. Therefore, information acquired by the vehicle camera 14 can be transmitted to the driver assistance system 12. The driver assistance system 12 can be used to operate the vehicle 10 autonomously or semi-autonomously.

[0054] The vehicle camera 14 is configured as a front camera, for example, as a windshield camera. The vehicle camera 14 is positioned on the upper inside of the windshield of the vehicle 10 and is directed towards the monitoring area in front of the vehicle 10 in the direction of travel. The vehicle camera 14 may be similarly positioned in other locations on the vehicle 10 in different orientations. Multiple vehicle cameras 14 can be positioned on the vehicle 10. The vehicle camera 14 may also be directed towards the interior of the vehicle 10.

[0055] For example, the vehicle camera 14 is an imaging camera. The vehicle camera 14 can detect the monitoring area with local resolution.

[0056] The vehicle camera 14 is equipped with a housing 16. The housing 16 consists of a main housing section 18, a housing closing section 20, and an objective lens module housing section 22.

[0057] The objective lens module housing 22 includes an objective lens receptacle 24. For example, an optical system in the form of an objective lens 26 is fixed to the objective lens receptacle 24.

[0058] Furthermore, an image sensor circuit board (not shown for clarity) is located in the objective lens module housing 22. On the surface of the image sensor circuit board facing the objective lens 26, there is an image sensor, such as an image sensor chip, but this is not shown for clarity. The objective lens 26 is aligned with and focused on the image sensor. The image sensor can convert electromagnetic waves, such as light, from the monitoring area into electrical signals with local resolution. These electrical signals can be processed by corresponding electronic components of the vehicle camera 14. In this way, an image of the monitoring area, such as an image of an object in the monitoring area, can be generated.

[0059] The objective lens module housing 22 is fixed to the main housing 18 in a receiving opening 28. The receiving opening 28 is provided for this purpose. On the side opposite to the objective lens module housing 22, the main housing 18 has an installation opening 30 for the housing closure 20. For example, in Figures 5 and 7, the installation opening 30 can be seen to be inside the housing 16 which is open in those drawings. The installation opening 30 has a roughly rectangular periphery.

[0060] The main housing portion 18 and the housing closing portion 20 define the interior 32 of the housing 16. The main circuit board 34 shown in Figure 3 is located in the interior 32 of the housing between the main housing portion 18 and the housing closing portion 20.

[0061] The main circuit board 34 has several functional components, such as electronic components, and several connecting components, such as electrical plugs, mounted on it.

[0062] The main circuit board 34 is functionally connected to the image sensor circuit board, for example, via a flexible cable. Data can be exchanged between the main circuit board 34 and the image sensor circuit board via the cable. The cable may also have an electrical supply line.

[0063] The receiving opening 28 is located in a stepped region 36 that extends along the rear surface 38 of the housing 16. The receiving opening 28 extends along the sides of the stepped region 36 that face the front surface 40 and top surface 42 of the housing 16.

[0064] When the vehicle camera 14 is installed, the front surface 40 faces the monitoring area that is in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the front surface 40 is the side that the objective lens 26 faces. When the vehicle camera 14 is installed, the top surface 42 faces upward. If the vehicle camera 14 is arranged in the opposite direction, the top surface 42 may face downward. The front surface 40 of the vehicle camera 14 may be aligned rearward or to the side with respect to the direction of travel.

[0065] The receiving opening 28 is surrounded by an inner main contact frame 44 and an outer main contact frame 46. The outer main contact frame 46 surrounds the inner main contact frame 44 and the receiving opening 28 on three sides: the side facing the front 40 and adjacent sides extending between the front 40 and the back 38.

[0066] The prefix "main" used with the main housing section 18 is intended to facilitate distinction from the objective lens module housing section 22, which will be referred to hereafter with the prefix "module". The name "inner" used with the inner main contact frame 44 is intended to facilitate distinction from the outer main contact frame 46, which will be given the name "outer".

[0067] The inner main contact frame 44 includes two lateral inner main contact portions 48, a front inner main contact portion 50, and a rear inner main contact portion 52.

[0068] The front inner main contact portion 50 is located on the side of the stepped region 36 facing the front 40. The rear inner main contact portion 52 is located on the side of the housing 16 facing the rear 38, opposite to the front inner main contact portion 50 of the receiving opening 28. The front inner main contact portion 50 and the rear inner main contact portion 52 extend substantially parallel to the virtual axis 54.

[0069] The lateral inner main contact portion 48 connects the front inner main contact portion 50 to the rear inner main contact portion 52. The lateral inner main contact portion 48 is located on both axial sides of the receiving opening 28 with respect to the axis 54.

[0070] The rim portion of the rear inner main contact portion 52 facing the upper surface 42 of the housing 16 forms the rear inner main contact surface 56. The rim portion of the front inner main contact portion facing the upper surface 42 forms the front inner main contact surface 58. The rim portions of the lateral inner main contact portions 48 facing the upper surface 42 or the front surface 40 each form the lateral inner main contact surface 60.

[0071] When viewed in the direction of axis 54, the contours of the two lateral inner main contact surfaces 60 are identical. When viewed in the direction of axis 54, the two lateral inner main contact surfaces 60 are aligned. The contours of the lateral inner main contact surfaces 60 will be explained with reference to, for example, one of the two lateral inner main contact surfaces 60 shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 7.

[0072] The lateral inner main contact surface 60 has a curved portion 62. When viewed in the direction of the lateral inner main contact surface 60, the curved portion 62 is curved in a convex shape. The curved portion 62 has a radius of curvature R in the virtual sector portion 64 of the virtual cylinder. i It extends along the axis of the cylinder, which coincides with axis 54. The curved portion 62 extends in an arc shape over an angle of approximately 90° toward the front surface 40 and bottom surface 68 of the housing 16, away from the rear inner main contact portion 52. As can be seen from Figures 4 and 7, the curved portion 62 is directly adjacent to the rear inner main contact portion 52. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the curved portion 62 extends over an angle of 90°. The curved portion 62 occupies most of the lateral main contact portion 60, more than half of the lateral main contact portion 60 in this example.

[0073] The curved portion 62 merges with the upper straight portion 66 in a stepless manner at its end, away from the main contact portion 52 on the inner rear surface. At the transition portion, the upper straight portion 66 extends tangentially to the curved portion 62. The upper straight portion 66 extends in a flat plane toward the bottom surface 68 of the housing 16. At its end, away from the curved portion 62, the upper straight portion 66 bends at an acute angle before merging with the lower straight portion 70.

[0074] The lower straight section 70 has a flat surface shape. The lower straight section 70 extends at an angle slightly greater than 90° relative to the upper straight section 66. The lower straight section 70 extends approximately parallel to the upper surface of the main housing section 18. In the transition portion from the lateral inner main contact surface 60 to the rear inner main contact surface 56, the lower straight section 70 extends approximately parallel to each virtual tangent to the curved section 62.

[0075] The lower straight section 70, at its end away from the upper straight section 66, bends 90° and then merges with the front inner main contact surface 58. The front inner main contact surface 58 extends parallel to the axis 54. The front inner main contact surface 58 is also flat.

[0076] The outer main contact frame 46 comprises two lateral outer main contact portions 72 and a front outer main contact portion 74. The lateral outer main contact portions 72 are located on both axial sides of the receiving opening 28 with respect to the axis 54. The lateral inner main contact portions 48 are each located between one of the lateral outer main contact portions 72 and the receiving opening 28. Therefore, each lateral outer main contact portion 72 is further away from the receiving opening 28 than the lateral inner main contact portion 48 on the same side of the receiving opening 28.

[0077] On the side facing the front 40, the front outer main contact portion 74 extends between the two lateral outer main contact portions 72. The front outer main contact portion 74 is integrated with the upper surface of the main housing portion 18. The front outer main contact portion 74 extends on the side of the front inner main contact portion 50 facing the front 40 of the housing 16. The front outer main contact portion 74 extends parallel to the front inner main contact portion 50 and parallel to the axis 54.

[0078] For example, as shown in Figure 7, each of the lateral outer main contact portions 72 has a lateral outer main contact surface 76. Figure 7 shows a cross-section perpendicular to the axis 54 passing through one of the lateral outer main contact portions 72. The cross-section also shows the adjacent lateral inner main contact portion 48. When viewed in a projection view in the direction of axis 54, the lateral outer main contact surface 76 extends parallel to the lateral inner main contact surface 60. When viewed in the direction of axis 54, the contours of the two lateral outer main contact surfaces 76 are identical.

[0079] The lateral outer main contact surface 76 has a curved portion 78, an upper straight portion 80, and a lower straight portion 82, respectively.

[0080] The curved portion 78 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 has a radius of curvature R around the axis 54 in the same sector-shaped portion 64 as the curved portion 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60. a It extends in that direction. When viewed in the direction of the lateral outer main contact surface 76, the curved portion 78 is curved in a convex shape.

[0081] Radius of curvature R of the curved portion 78 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 a The radius of curvature R of the curved portion 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60. i It is smaller than that.

[0082] The curved sections 78 each merge with the upper straight sections 80. At the transition section, the upper straight sections 80 extend tangentially to each end of the curved sections 78. After bending at an angle slightly greater than 90° in each case, the upper straight sections 80 each merge with the lower straight sections 82. The lower straight sections 82 are flat surfaces. The lower straight sections 82 extend approximately parallel to each virtual tangent to the curved sections 78 at the rear end of the lateral outer main contact section 72.

[0083] The lower straight portion 82 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 is formed on the upper surface of the main housing portion 18. The corresponding portion of the lateral outer main contact surface 72 is integrated with the upper surface of the main housing portion 18. The lower straight portion 82 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 each merges with the front outer main contact surface 84 of the front outer main contact surface 74. The front outer main contact surfaces 84 are each flat.

[0084] The objective lens module housing 22 is shown in detail in Figures 8 and 12. The objective lens module housing 22 has an inner module contact frame 86 and an outer module contact frame 88. The outer module contact frame 88 surrounds the inner module contact frame 86 on three sides, namely the front 40 and the sides. When the housing 16 is assembled, the inner module contact frame 86 abuts against the inner main contact frame 44 in a manner that prevents leakage. In the assembled state, the outer module contact frame 88 abuts against the outer main contact frame 46 in a manner that prevents leakage.

[0085] The designation "inner" used with the components of the inner module contact frame 86 facilitates distinction from the components of the outer module contact frame 88, which are designated "outer."

[0086] The inner module contact frame 86 includes two lateral inner module contact portions 90, a front inner module contact portion 92, and a rear inner module contact portion 94.

[0087] Each of the lateral inner module contact portions 90 has a lateral inner module contact surface 96 at its free end that faces the lateral inner main contact portion 48 when the objective lens module housing portion 22 is assembled.

[0088] The front inner module contact portion 92 has a front inner module contact surface 98 at its free end that faces the front inner main contact portion 50 when the objective lens module housing portion 22 is assembled.

[0089] The rear inner module contact portion 94 has a rear inner module contact surface 100 on the side facing the rear inner main contact portion 52 when the objective lens module housing portion 22 is assembled.

[0090] When viewed in a projection view in the direction of axis 54, the contours of the two lateral inner module contact surfaces 96 are identical. Each lateral inner module contact surface 96 has a curved portion 102, an upper straight portion 104, and a lower straight portion 106.

[0091] Each of the lateral inner module contact surfaces 96 is complementary to the adjacent lateral inner main contact surfaces 60.

[0092] When the housing 16 is assembled, the virtual axis 54 described above for the main housing portion 18, the corresponding virtual cylinder, and the sector portion 64 coincides with the corresponding axis, the corresponding cylinder, and the corresponding sector portion 64 of the objective lens module housing portion 22. For clarity, the axis 54 and the sector portion 64 are given the same reference numerals in both the cross-sectional view of the assembled housing 16 in Figure 3, and the detailed views of the main housing portion 18 in Figures 4 and 7, and the objective lens module housing portion 22 in Figures 9 and 12.

[0093] Each curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 has a radius of curvature R in the sector portion 64 of the virtual cylinder. i It extends along the axis of the cylinder. The axis of the cylinder extends axially with respect to the axis 54. When viewed in the direction of each lateral inner module contact surface 96, the curved portion 102 is curved in a concave shape. The radius of curvature R of the curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 and the curved portion 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60. i These are identical. The curved portion 62 extends in an arc shape at an angle of approximately 90° toward the front inner module contact portion 92, away from the rear inner module contact portion 94.

[0094] The curved portion 102 merges with the upper straight portion 104 at its end away from the rear inner module contact portion 94. Here, the starting point of the upper straight portion 104 extends tangentially to the end of the curved portion 102. The upper straight portion 104 is a flat surface. The upper straight portion 104 extends toward the bottom surface of the objective lens module housing portion 22. At its end away from the curved portion 102, the upper straight portion 104 curves and then merges with the lower straight portion 106. The lower straight portion 106 is a flat surface. The lower straight portion 106 extends at an angle slightly greater than 90° relative to the upper straight portion 104. At the transition from the lateral inner contact surface 96 to the rear inner module contact surface 100, the lower straight portion 106 extends approximately parallel to each virtual tangent to the curved portion 102.

[0095] The lower straight section 106, at its end away from the upper straight section 104, bends at a 90° angle before joining the front inner module contact surface 98. The front inner module contact surface 98 is a flat surface. The front inner module contact surface 98 extends parallel to the axis 54.

[0096] The outer module contact frame 88 has two lateral outer module contact portions 108 and a front outer module contact portion 110. The lateral outer module contact portions 108 are located on both axial sides of the objective lens module housing portion 22 with respect to the axis 54. The lateral inner module contact portions 90 are each located between the lateral outer module contact portions 108. When the housing 16 is assembled, each lateral outer module contact portion 108 is further away from the receiving opening 28 than the lateral inner module contact portion 90 on the same side of the receiving opening 28.

[0097] On the side facing the front of the objective lens module housing part 22, the front outer module contact part 110 extends between the two lateral outer module contact parts 108. The front of the objective lens module housing part 22 is the side where the objective lens receptacle 24 is disposed. The front outer module contact part 110 extends on the side of the front inner module contact part 92 facing the front of the objective lens module housing part 22. The front outer module contact part 110 extends parallel to the front inner module contact part 92 and parallel to the axis 54.

[0098] FIG. 12 shows a cross section perpendicular to the axis 54 passing through one of the lateral outer module contact parts 90. The cross section also shows the lateral outer module contact part 108 located in front of it.

[0099] The lateral outer module contact parts 108 each have a lateral outer module contact surface 112. When viewed in a projection view in the direction of the axis 54, the lateral outer module contact surface 112 extends parallel to the lateral inner module contact surface 96. When viewed in the direction of the axis fifty-four, the contours of the two lateral outer module contact surfaces 112 are identical.

[0100] The lateral outer module contact surface 112 each has a curved part 116, an upper straight part 118, and a lower straight part 120.

[0101] When viewed in the direction of each lateral outer module contact surface 116, the curved part 116 is curved in a concave shape. The curved part 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 has a radius of curvature R centered on the axis 54 in the same sector part 64 as the lateral inner module contact surface 96 a and extends. The radius of curvature R of the curved part 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 and the curved part 78 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 a is the same. The radius of curvature R of the curved part 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 a is smaller than the R of the curved part 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 i is smaller.

[0102] The curved sections 116 each merge with the upper straight sections 118. At the transition section, the upper straight sections 118 extend tangentially to each of the curved sections 116. The upper straight sections 118 are flat surfaces. In each case, after bending at an angle slightly greater than 90°, the upper straight sections 118 each merge with the lower straight sections 120. The lower straight sections 120 are flat surfaces. The lower straight sections 120 extend approximately parallel to each virtual tangent to the curved section 116 at the rear end of the lateral outer module contact section 108.

[0103] The lower straight section 120 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 bends at approximately 90° and then merges with the front outer module contact surface 114 of the front outer module contact section 110. The front outer module contact surface 114 is a flat surface.

[0104] With the housing 16 assembled, the curved portion 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60, the curved portion 78 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76, the curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96, and the curved portion 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 extend in a sector shape 64 when viewed in a projection view in the direction of the axis 54.

[0105] When assembling the housing 16, the objective lens module housing portion 22 is placed on the receiving opening 28 of the main housing portion 18 from the top surface 52, with its inner side leading. During this process, the lateral inner module contact surface 96 slides along the corresponding lateral inner main contact surface 60, and the lateral outer module contact surface 112 slides along the lateral outer main contact surface 76.

[0106] On the one hand, the curved portions 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60 and the curved portion 78 of the lateral outer main contact surface 72 of the main housing portion 18, and on the other hand, the curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 and the curved portion 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 of the objective lens module housing portion 22, have the effect of guiding the objective lens module housing portion 22 to the correct final position. Here, tolerances related to all components are compensated for by the cylindrical curvature.

[0107] In the final position shown in Figures 2 and 3, the objective lens module housing 22 is screwed to the upper surface of the main housing 18 by screws passing through the corresponding screw openings 122 shown in Figure 5. In this process, the outer main contact surfaces 76 and 84 of the outer main contact frame 46 are pressed against the corresponding outer module contact surfaces 112 and 114 of the outer module contact frame 88 in a leak-proof manner. The inner main contact surfaces 56, 58, and 60 of the inner main contact frame 44 are pressed against the corresponding inner module contact surfaces 96, 98, and 100 of the inner module contact frame 86 in a leak-proof manner. The fact that the contact surfaces 56, 58, 60, 96, 98, and 100 of the inner contact frames 44 and 86 extend at a greater distance from the axis 54 than the contact surfaces 76, 84, 112, and 114 of the respective outer contact frames 46 and 88 forms a labyrinth-type sealing area between the inner contact frames 44 and 86 and the outer contact frames 46 and 88. In addition, the outer contact frames 46 and 88 protect the reel area between the inner contact frames 44 and 86 from the surroundings.

Claims

1. A housing (16) for a vehicle camera (14), A main housing portion (18) having at least one receiving opening (28), A minimum objective lens module housing (22) having a minimum objective lens receptacle (24) for at least one optical system (26), wherein the objective lens module housing (22) is positioned in at least one of the receiving apertures (28) of at least one of the main housings (18), At least one of the main housing portions (18) has at least one main contact portion (48, 72), At least one of the objective lens module housing portions (22) has at least one module contact portion (90, 108) that at least partially contacts at least one of the main contact portions (48, 72), At least one of the main contact portions (48, 72) has at least one main contact surface (60, 76) that is curved in at least a portion (62, 78), At least one of the module contact portions (90, 108) is a module contact surface (96, 112) that is curved in at least a portion (102, 116), and has a module contact surface (96, 112) that at least partially contacts the curved portion (62, 78) of at least one main contact surface (60, 76) of at least one main contact portion (48, 72), The curvature of at least one of the curved portions (62, 78) of at least one of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) and the curvature of at least one of the contacting curved portions (102, 116) of at least one of the module contact surfaces (96, 112) are the same. At least one of the main housing portions (18) has at least two main contact portions (48, 72) each having at least one main contact surface (60, 76), and the at least two main contact portions (48, 72) having corresponding main contact surfaces (60, 76) located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings (28) are arranged such that the main contact portion (72) is further away from the receiving opening (28) than the main contact portion (48), and the curved portion (78) of the main contact surface (76) of the main contact portion (72) that is further away from the receiving opening (28) has a smaller radius of curvature (Ra) than the curved portion (62) of the main contact surface (60) of the main contact portion (48) that is located closer to the receiving opening (28). and / or, At least one objective lens module housing portion (22) has at least two module contact portions (90, 108) each having at least one main contact surface (96, 112), and at least two module contact portions (90, 108) having corresponding module contact surfaces (96, 112) located on the same side of at least one receiving opening (28) are arranged such that the module contact portion (108) is further away from the receiving opening (28) than the module contact portion (90), and the curved portion (116) of the module contact surface (112) of the module contact portion (108) further away from the receiving opening (28) has a smaller radius of curvature (Ra) than the curved portion (102) of the module contact surface (96) of the module contact portion (90) located closer to the receiving opening (28). A housing characterized by the following features.

2. The curved portion (62) extends in an arc shape toward the front surface (40) and / or bottom surface (68) of the housing (16), away from the rear inner main contact portion (52), The rear inner main contact portion (52) is located on the side of the receiving opening (28) facing the rear surface (38) of the housing (16), The housing according to feature 1.

3. The curved portion (62) extends over an angle of approximately 90°, and particularly over an angle of 90°. The housing according to feature 1.

4. The curvature of at least one of the curved portions (62, 78) of at least one of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) is constant in at least one plane, and / or the curvature of at least one of the curved portions (102, 116) of at least one of the module contact surfaces (96, 112) is constant in at least one plane. and / or, At least one of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) extends at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, particularly along a virtual cylindrical surface, and / or at least one of the module contact surfaces (96, 112) extends at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, particularly along a virtual cylindrical surface. The housing according to feature 1.

5. At least two of the main contact portions (48, 72) are arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings (28), and / or, At least two of the module contact portions (90, 108) are arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings (28), The housing according to one of the features 1 to 4.

6. At least two of the main contact portions (48, 72) are located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings (28). and / or, At least two of the module contact portions (90, 108) are located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings (28). The housing according to one of the features 1 to 4.

7. The curved portions (62, 78) of at least two of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) of the main contact portions (48, 72) have the same curvature in at least one common sector-shaped portion (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). and / or, The curved portions (102, 116) of at least two module contact surfaces (96, 112) of the module contact portions (90, 108) have the same curvature in at least one common sector-shaped portion (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). The housing according to one of the features 1 to 4.

8. The curved portions (62, 78) of at least two of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) of the main contact portions (48, 72) have different radii of curvature (R) relative to the axis (54) in at least one common sector (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). ｉ , R ａ ) has and / or, The curved portions (62, 78) of at least two of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) of the main contact portions (48, 72) have the same radius of curvature (R) with respect to the axis (54) in at least one common sector (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). ｉ , R ａ ) has and / or, The curved portions (102, 116) of at least two module contact surfaces (96, 112) of the module contact portions (90, 108) have different radii of curvature (R) relative to the axis (54) in at least one common sector (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). ｉ , R ａ ) has and / or, The curved portions (102, 116) of at least two module contact surfaces (96, 112) of the module contact portions (90, 108) have the same radius of curvature (R) with respect to the axis (54) in at least one common sector (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). ｉ , R ａ ) has The housing according to one of the features 1 to 4.

9. At least one common sector (64) extends over an angle of 30° to 90°, The housing according to feature 7.

10. At least one curved portion (62, 78) of at least one main contact surface (60, 76) is curved at least partially convex when viewed in the direction of the corresponding main contact surface (60, 76). and / or, At least one curved portion (102, 116) of at least one module contact surface (96, 112) is curved at least partially concave when viewed in the direction of the corresponding module contact surface (96, 112). The housing according to one of the features 1 to 4.

11. A vehicle camera (14) having at least one housing (16), At least one image sensor is disposed in the housing (16), and at least one optical system (26) aligned with at least one image sensor is disposed in the housing (16), The housing (16) comprises at least one main housing portion (18) having at least one receiving aperture (28), and at least one objective lens module housing portion (22) having at least one objective lens receptacle (24) for at least one optical system (26), the objective lens module housing portion (22) being positioned in at least one of the receiving apertures (28) of the at least one main housing portion (18), At least one of the main housing portions (18) has at least one main contact portion (48, 72), At least one of the objective lens module housing portions (22) has at least one module contact portion (90, 108) that at least partially contacts at least one of the main contact portions (48, 72), The vehicle camera (14) is characterized in that it has a housing (16) according to one of claims 1 to 4.

12. A vehicle (10) having at least one vehicle camera (14), The vehicle camera (14) has at least one housing (16), At least one image sensor is disposed in the housing (16), and at least one optical system (26) aligned with at least one image sensor is disposed in the housing (16), The housing (16) comprises at least one main housing portion (18) having at least one receiving aperture (28), and at least one objective lens module housing portion (22) having at least one objective lens receptacle (24) for at least one optical system (26), the objective lens module housing portion (22) being positioned in at least one of the receiving apertures (28) of the at least one main housing portion (18), At least one of the main housing portions (18) has at least one main contact portion (48, 72), and at least one of the objective lens module housing portions (22) has at least one module contact portion (90, 108) that at least partially contacts the at least one main contact portion (48, 72), The vehicle (10) is characterized by having a vehicle camera (14) having a housing (16) as described in one of claims 1 to 4.

Images